Columbia Aggressive Driving Lawyer

Although considered a less serious offense, an aggressive driving charge can still bring a number of different problems upon the accused individual. Fines of up to $500 and the possibility of demerit points on an individual’s license are enough to frustrate and burden a person. For these reasons, it is important to hire a knowledgeable Columbia aggressive driving lawyer to help reduce any penalties associated with your charge. The right attorney can help craft a strong defense, while always keeping you and your best interests in mind.

Elements of Aggressive Driving

A person could be charged with aggressive driving if he or she commits three or more enumerated violations simultaneously, or anytime throughout a continuous period while operating a vehicle. There are certain things that law enforcement officers look for when writing up an aggressive driving violation, which include:

• Exceeding the maximum speed limit
• Passing a vehicle on the right
• Failing to yield right away
• Following another vehicle too closely
• Violating traffic lights and signs
• Driving in the wrong lane
• Overtaking or passing another vehicle unsafely

The fine for aggressive driving is up to $500 and five points on the individual’s license. Aggressive driving is a serious, but not incarcerable traffic offense in Maryland. Although an individual cannot be sent to jail for violating this law, a conviction for aggressive driving will accrue five points on the person’s driver’s record. It is important that a Columbia aggressive driving lawyer be present for all hearings in order to best defend their client against any charges. Aggressive driving is a common offense in Columbia.

Prosecuting Cases

Aggressive driving cases are heard in the Howard Country District Court’s non-serious traffic courts. They are on the same docket as red-light tickets, speeding tickets, and other less-serious moving violations. These types of cases are not prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, instead, they are prosecuted by the police officer who brought the individual the ticket. He or she will present testimony and evidence to convince the judge that the accused individual has committed a specific violation. The officer will present his or her case first, and then the individual will be given the opportunity to cross-examine the officer and present evidence in support of their defense.

Penalties

A person who is found guilty of aggressive driving can expect to have a monetary fine and points assessed to his or her license. Specifically, a person who is convicted of aggressive driving will face a fine of up to $500 and five points assessed to his or her license. After reckless driving, the point accumulation associated with aggressive driving will make it necessary for that individual to enroll in a driver improvement program. This is a 48-hour instructional program designed to teach, or re-teach the individual Maryland traffic laws. An experienced Columbia aggressive driving attorney can best help an individual understand the right course of action for their client, based on the particular circumstances of the case.

Benefits of an Attorney

Aggressive driving is a payable offense, which means that an individual can pay the fine indicated on the ticket, and they will not need to appear in court. However, by paying the fine, the individual is saying that they are guilty of the violation, and the five points will be placed on the license automatically. Just paying the citation is never the right move, especially if the individual drives as part of their job, or has to drive to get to work.

It is important to understand that additional consequences could come with fines, such as an increase in insurance premiums as the result of an aggressive driving conviction. This type of conviction can come with a number of consequences, which is why it is important to have a Columbia aggressive driving attorney present at your hearing.

It is always helpful to have a Columbia aggressive driving lawyer in these cases. Lawyers know how to cross-examine police officers and the rules of evidence. Because these types of traffic cases are handled quickly, and do not involve a lot of paperwork, lawyer’s fees are typically not that expensive